Gretchen Ho is ready to try showbiz

BY BERNIE FRANCO

From the volleyball court, Ateneo volleyball varsity player Gretchen Ho is trying her hand in showbiz to broaden her horizons. The athlete-cum-celebrity will be part of a celebrity challenge program to be aired on Studio 23 this April.

The two-part show, titled Game On: The Chevrolet Sonic Celebrity Challenge, will consist of two celebrity teams who will try to outdo each other in a series of challenges. Former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Paul Jake Castillo, actress Melissa Ricks, and TV Patrol segment host Gretchen Fullido comprise Team Sonic Blue, while Pinoy Fear Factor hunk Manuel Chua, host Andrei Felix, and Ateneo Blue Eagles Volleyball team member Gretchen Ho will be on Team Sonic White. The show is a joint venture of Studio 23 and Chevrolet Sonic and will air on April 6 and 13 on Studio23.

Apart from having established a name for herself as a member of the women’s volleyball team in Ateneo, Gretchen is also known today for being the apple of the eye of Robi Domingo. In an interview during the press con of the upcoming celebrity challenge show last March 19, Gretchen said that she and Robi were batch mates at Ateneo.

After she was romantically linked to Robi, the volleyball siren revealed that people around her became curious. “Usually kasi naman di ako nage-entertain [ng suitors]. Medyo focused talaga ako [sa sports],” she related. She also admitted that Robi is the first suitor that she entertained. “First, if ever, first talaga na in-entertain ko siya talaga.. ang first nain-entertain ko na manliligaw.”

Gretchen said that that Robi is very supportive of her decision to enter showbiz. “He’s there to help me with whatever I choose. It helps din siguro na he gives me a view of the showbiz world… ano ba meron d’yan,para I can make better decisions,” she shared. Gretchen also revealed that apart from the celebrity challenge show, she will also host a program on Balls Channel this summer.

As for the status of their relationship, the Engineering Management student said that she and Robi are exclusively dating and are in no rush to be committed.

Gretchen admitted that she is still overwhelmed by her increased popularity, noting that her volleyball team already had a following among sports enthusiasts. “I try to be positive about everything. I try to really take it all as blessings and give back.”

She said that she decided to take on the challenge of hosting because it could help her to grow as a person. In their campus, Gretchen said that she has hosted basketball games and also campus events. “I’m interested in doing TV hosting, lalo na sports hosting. Mahilig ako sa sports. Nagho-host naman ako before sa Ateneo. It’s something I see myself doing. It’s something that also helps me grow as a person.” As for acting, the chinita student replied, “In terms of acting no, I will not go there… no talaga.”

Gretchen is also hoping that venturing into hosting will also provide her with an avenue to be a good influence on the youth. “Ang sabi ko nga if it puts me in a position where I can better influence people or inspire people, lalo na ‘yung children, okay ako. I will consider it. I mean that’s what I am thinking about right now.”

She shared that the hosts that she looks up to is Bianca Gonzalez, who also graduated from Ateneo. “Nakikita ko empowered woman [siya] tsaka ‘yun ‘yung reason ko if ever I want to enter [showbiz], to affect positive things,” she shared.